O'Connor Music Studio Blog

February 24 in Music History

. 1766 ~ Samuel Wesley, English organist and composer in the late Georgian period. Wesley was a contemporary of Mozart (1756–1791) and was called by some “the English Mozart.”

. 1771 ~ Johann Baptist Cramer, English musician of German origin. He was the son of Wilhelm Cramer, a famous London violinist and musical conductor, one of a numerous family who were identified with the progress of music during the 18th and 19th centuries.

. 1832 ~ Frederic Chopin’s first Paris concert. The musicologist Arthur Hedley has observed that “As a pianist Chopin was unique in acquiring a reputation of the highest order on the basis of a minimum of public appearances—few more than thirty in the course of his lifetime.”

. 1934 ~ Renata Scotto, Italian soprano. She made her operatic debut at age 18 and is best known for performances as Violetta in La Traviata, Cio-Cio- San in Madama Butterfly, Mimi (and the occasional Musetta) in La Bohème, Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth and Francesca in Francesca da Rimini. She is also an opera director.

. 1940 ~ Frances Langford recorded one of the classic songs of all time — and one that would become a Walt Disney trademark. When You Wish Upon a Star was recorded on Decca Records during a session in Los Angeles. Many artists have recorded the song, including pop diva Linda Ronstadt (with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in the early 1980s). One can hear the song not only on record, but as the theme in the opening credits of any Disney movie, video and TV program and those “I’m going to Disneyland/World!” commercials, too.

A digital copy is available at no charge for students at the O'Connor Music Studio. Get your piano students listening to great classical music! The Shades of Sound Listening and Coloring Books are a great way to encourage students to listen to great piano and orchestral repertoire. Students of all ages will love coloring the fun pictures while listening […]

The Shades of Sound Listening & Coloring Books series is a music appreciation curriculum for piano students of all levels. Combining music history, listening and coloring, this curriculum is a fun and relaxing way for pianists of all ages to learn about music history and piano literature. This Women Composers edition highlights over fifty pieces of piano […]

For beginning musicians, Alfred's Easy series is the fast track to developing a repertoire of well-known and fun-to-play songs, while more experienced players will find an excellent resource of favorite songs. The Easy Hits Piano format provides fun and satisfying piano arrangements that are easy to play and sound like the original recordings. This Rock […]

For beginning musicians, Alfred's Easy series is the fast track to developing a repertoire of well-known and fun-to-play songs, while more experienced players will find an excellent resource of favorite songs. The Easy Hits Piano format provides fun and satisfying piano arrangements that are easy to play and sound like the original recordings. This Love […]

Movie Heroes for Students, Book 3 is arranged at the intermediate level. Sixteenth notes and triplets are included. Key signatures are limited to two sharps or flats. Chords contain a maximum of three notes in either hand. Mixed meter and 6/8 time provide rhythmic variety. Titles: Batman Returns * Harry and Hermione (from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prin […]

Movie Heroes for Students, Book 2 is arranged at the early-intermediate level. Sixteenth notes and triplets have been avoided. Key signatures are limited to one sharp or flat. Chords contain a maximum of three notes in either hand and simple meters of 4/4 or 3/4 allow for greater accessibility. Titles: Batman Theme * Hedwig's Theme (from Harry Potter an […]

Movie Heroes for Students, Book 1 is arranged at the late-elementary level. Dotted-quarter notes and triplets have been avoided with minimal use of eighth notes. Key signatures are limited to one sharp or flat. A maximum of two-note intervals in either hand and simple meters of 4/4 or 3/4 allow for greater accessibility. Titles: Batman Theme * Hedwig's […]

24 great piano duet arrangements! Includes: Beauty and the Beast * Clocks * Edelweiss * Georgia on My Mind * He's a Pirate * Let It Go * Linus and Lucy * Moon River * Yellow Submarine * You are the Sunshine of My Life * and more! Format: Primo and Secondo on opposing pages.. ~~~~~ Available to borrow from the O'Connor Music Studio

With this concert-worthy duet setting of "Happy Birthday to You," pianists will delight audiences with inventive variations of the familiar tune. Some sections are driving and rhythmic, while others are inspired by Classical and Romantic styles. Powerful chords and brilliant octave passages create thrilling musical moments. Audiences will enjoy a n […]

Splendid compilation features a variety of the composer's best piano works, all reproduced from authoritative sources. Taking its title from the popular orchestral work "Danse Macabre" (presented here in the brilliant arrangement by Liszt), this collection also includes "Allegro appassionato," "Album" (consisting of six pie […]

ShowTime Piano Disney presents contemporary and classic Disney hits arranged for the pianist at Level 2A. Students develop fundamental skills reading basic rhythms, intervals, and simple chords, all while playing appealing songs from favorite movies such as Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mulan , and more. Almost There ( Princess and the Frog ) * Baroque […]

Sack's book on the subject, “Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain,” remains essential reading for those who want to understand the mechanics of music. Through bountiful research and mesmerizing case studies, Sacks addressed topics including music and amnesia, music therapy, musical prodigies and those who suffer from debilitating aural hallucinati […]

A landmark biography of the Polish composer by a leading authority on Chopin and his time Based on ten years of research and a vast cache of primary sources located in archives in Warsaw, Paris, London, New York, and Washington, D.C., Alan Walker’s monumental Fryderyk Chopin: A Life and Times is the most comprehensive biography of the great Polish composer t […]

Unique, Practical and Straightforward Way to Learn Music Theory and Become a Better Musician, Even if You're a Complete Beginner! Updated and Massively Expanded Edition with Audio Examples, New Exercises, and New Content!